Nominations for Couse of Study Committee

Work on the Alabama State Course of Study for Mathematics, Physical Education, and Health will begin in March of this year. The first step in the process is for superintendents to make recommendations to Dr. Morton for epople to serve on the committee. Each Course of Study committee is composed of classroom teachers, administrators, higher education representatives, and a selct number of individuals from outside of education. A formula exists which guarantees equal representation from the state.

The purpose of this post is to let you know that if you would like to be considered for participation one of these committees, you need to make that known to your principal as soon as possible.

To give you an idea of what you would be "getting yourself into," the committee meets in Montgomery each month from March through December for anywhere from 2 to 3 days at a time. Each day runs from around 9:00-3:00. During the summer, there is a 4-day retreat. Not a great deal of "homework" is required between the monthly sessions, unless you are one of those "overachievers."

Requirements include a thorough knowledge of your subject, a vision for what your subject area could be like for student in Alabama, a passion to make it happen, and a high tolerance for ambiguity.

I was a member of the Course of Study committee for Arts Education. As much as I whined and complained about the time away from my school, the backlog of work that awaited me when I returned, and meetings that sometimes seemed like they were going, the truth of the matter is that I would not trade that experience for the world. I made friends who have now become constant contacts and learned about things I never knew existed from some of the sharpest minds in this state.

If this sounds like something of interest to you, please let your principal know as soon as possible.